A bag of dog biscuits can make grown men weep, as RSPCA regional inspector Michael Makeham knows.
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“I’ve given guys who’ve been on the land 50 years a bag of dog biscuits, and they start crying,” he said.
He’s been travelling around north-western NSW, distributing hundreds of dollars’ worth of pet food donated by Roseneath Aged Care Centre, Glen Innes, to drought-stricken farmers.
The Roseneath nursing home raised $800 through a cent auction to buy the biscuits for working dogs from Norco Glen Innes.
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Mr Makeham has delivered the biscuits to around 20 families so far, on properties at Goolhi, Blackville, Big Jack’s Creek, Boggabri, Barandine, Upper Horton, and Torrington – with another dozen still to distribute.
"Just to see the faces on some of these people when someone gives them something…” Mr Makeham said.
Many of the farmers haven’t grown crops for months, and have destocked to the point where they don’t have anything to sell, but are just hanging on to what they need to recover.
“These people are struggling to put food on their own table; banks are biting at their heels, wanting money,” Mr Makeham said.
“They’ve got no money; they feel they’ve got no future, really. They’ve got nowhere to go, so they have to stay. It’s an awful situation.”
He’s amazed, though, how people look after their dogs when things are really tough.
“I gave a couple of bags of dog biscuits to a farmer at Goolhi,” Mr Makeham said.
“He said: ‘Great, there’ll be a few extra scraps left for us tonight.’ That’s what they were feeding their dogs; what was left off their table went to the dogs, to make sure they got fed every night. His wife couldn’t believe it; she broke down.”
Giving the dog biscuits is also a chance for the RSPCA inspector to check in with farmers in distress, and suggest other options, such as the rural financial counselling service.
“it's a really good feeling for me to be able to walk away from a property knowing that we've done something to help them,” Mr Makeham said
“A lot of these people just think they're forgotten; as soon as we mention Roseneath’s name, they're amazed you people haven't forgotten them.”
The centre’s lifestyle officers Brian Hansell and Dianne Newman, who is also Glen Innes’ deputy mayor, wanted to help the working dogs.
“They’re essential to the farmer, but often get lost in the fund-raising events,” Mr Hansell said.
The residents came up with the idea of the auction – proving old dogs can come up with new tricks.
“They wanted to be part of the community still,” Mr Hansell said. “It was a great way for them to feel they were doing something to help.”
The residents made up little pot plants, and knitted and crocheted rugs.
More than 80 people from Emmaville, Deepwater, and Guyra came to bid at the auction. Local auctioneer Barry Newberry sold the larger prizes, including a drill set and a bain-marie.
The auction was also a way for the nursing home to thank the RSPCA.
Volunteer Judy Fraser brings round dogs for pet therapy and companionship once a week.
The effect, Mr Hansell said, is amazing; he’s seen residents with dementia bond with the animals, looking into their eyes and talking to the dog.
The RSPCA also wanted to thank Hugh Vimpany, manager of Norco Glen Innes, for organising the pallet of dog food, and holding it to await distribution.